Well-water testing offered at LUBGWMA
By Terry Murry on Friday, August 11th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA COUNTY – Staff or the Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Resiliency and Emergency Management are going door-to-door in the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area asking residents if they can test their well water for nitrates. Umatilla County Public Health Director Joe Fiumara said the effort will continue for about six weeks.
“The governor set a goal for the state to try to test every well that they can by the end of September, and there are a lot of wells out there,” Umatilla County Public Health Director Joe Fiumara said.
He added that the canvassers will respect “No Trespassing” signs and that the testing is voluntary.
“If you’re home when they knock, they’ll talk to you about what’s going on and – if you agree – they’ll collect a sample from you right then and there and take it to the lab on your behalf,” he said.
If the well tests above 10 milligrams per liter of nitrates, the state will arrange for the delivery of potable water.
